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How to Build Your Own Small Fountain for a Deck or Patio

© Vicki Paull

Here is a simple and fun water feature you can build in two afternoons. You will need:

• pot #1- large, for the bottom pool
• pot #2 - smaller, decorative pot for the upper pool
• pot #3 - an appropriate size to serve as a pedestal for the smaller pot .
• 1/4" masonry bit
• waterproof flexible adhesive that will work on both rubber and clay or tile.
• two pieces of rubber to cover the drain holes in pots #1 and #2.
• pea gravel
• stones
• blue furnace filter
• one fountain pump
• enough hose or pipe to run from the pump to the top of pot #2.
• a piece of stiff hardware cloth cut to fit just inside the top of pot #2.

When shopping for the pots, do a trial setup in the store. Put the large pot on the floor, find a smaller decorative pot that has appealing dimensions and then locate several cheap clay or plastic pots of different sizes. Turn one of the cheap pots upside down inside the large pot and set the small pot on top. Try out several combinations until you find one you like.

Directions :

1. Following the directions on the adhesive, glue the rubber to cover the drain holes in pots 1 and 2. It is better to use a piece that will cover the bottom of the pots. Usually, you will need to let the glue cure for several hours before proceeding.
2. After the glue has cured, cut a hole in the rubber on pot #2 large enough to accommodate the pump hose.
3. Drill three holes in the side of pot #2. These should be about one third down the side and in what will be the front.
4. Drill pot #3 around the side in several places to allow water to get in. Now drill a ring of holes, close together around the bottom of the pot and tap the bottom out so the pot is bottomless. This is to facilitate cleaning the pump. Also drill out an area large enough for the plug on the pump to run through.
5. Place pot 1 in the location where you want your fountain.
6. Place pot 3, wide end down, centered inside of pot 1.
7. Put the pump inside pot 3, run the cord out the hole you drilled for it, then over the top of pot 1.
8. Attach the hose to the pump and then run it up through the hole in pot 2; set pot 2 on top of pot 3.